A Promising Heart Drug Fails, Challenging a Long-Held Theory of Disease

Novo Nordisk reported that the ZEUS study, which involved more than 6,300 patients with heart disease or advanced kidney disease, failed to show a benefit for ziltivekimab vs placebo. Ziltivekimab lowered interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, suggesting effective suppression of inflammatory signaling; however, this did not reduce cardiovascular complications or death. The result challenges the hypothesis that inflammation is a causal driver of atherosclerosis rather than merely a disease marker. Experts remain divided, noting prior mixed evidence from colchicine trials and another anti-inflammatory drug with modest benefit but fatal infection risk. Novo Nordisk is continuing two further ziltivekimab studies, expected in 2027. These findings force a reassessment of the concept of inflammation-targeted cardiovascular therapy.